Signature voice Carl Kasell retiring from NPR

National Public Radio's Carl Kasell delivers one of his last newscasts during the Morning Edition program at NPR December 30, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Carl Kasell, a signature voice of NPR News for decades, is stepping down from the comedy news quiz show “Wait, Wait ... Don't Tell Me!” and retiring from the network this spring.

Kasell has been a recognizable voice on NPR for decades. He was a newscaster for 30 years on “Morning Edition” until 2009. His radio career spans half a century, starting as a morning deejay and newscaster at WGBR-AM in Goldsboro, N.C.

NPR announced Kasell's retirement Tuesday. After three decades as a newscaster, Kasell became the official judge and scorekeeper of the Chicago-based show “Wait, Wait ... Don't Tell Me!”

Kasell says his time on “Wait, Wait” has been his favorite years at NPR because he could meet and talk to the audiences he felt he knew.